Decisions and Actions
Scripture Reading — Luke 13:22-30
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door …”
—Luke 13:24
Decisions can change our lives. Yet so often we are indecisive people who cannot get started in a new direction. We get into a pattern of living and just stay there for years. We would like to be closer to God and make a difference in the world, but it is just so comfortable and secure right where we are.
Jesus addresses just such a situation in today’s parable. Like a prophet, he used harsh language to get people’s attention. To motivate us, Jesus constructed parables about being ready for his coming (see Luke 12:35-48) and about closed doors that would keep people out of the great feast of the kingdom.
If you knew someone was going to break into your house tonight, for example, what would you do? You would make sure to be prepared.
Similarly, if you knew Jesus was going to return soon, you would stay attentive and prepared. And he does say he is coming soon, so we must be ready (Revelation 22:12, 20).
Jesus strikingly describes those who are not constantly in tune with living for God. There are those who “sit on the fence” and never make a decision. But it is never enough to know Christ from a distance. He wants to live in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. So let’s allow the parables of Jesus to stir us and fire us up to new ways of thinking and action for the sake of God’s kingdom.
Lord, agitate us if you must; disturb us if we need it; do whatever it takes to move us toward faithful service to you. Amen.
About the author — Dean Deppe
Dean Deppe has been a pastor in inner-city, suburban, and rural churches. Currently he teaches New Testament theology at Calvin Theological Seminary. His courses include one on the parables of Jesus. He and his wife have four grown children.
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